India And Pakistan: A Rare Agreement
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2021-03-02 02:20:10
About the Author
Positive though the development is, not much can be read into the agreement between the armies of India and Pakistan to jointly re-commit to the 2003 ceasefire declaration and "strictly observe" truce along the Line of Control and all other sectors "in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders". It is positive because it shows that despite the almost no-contact policy maintained by governments on both sides of the border, talks and agreements are happening where possible.
The 2003 ceasefire was ignored, especially in recent times, by the Pakistani side with impunity. Observers say that this was mainly to provide cover to the terrorists to infiltrate into India by creating a diversion. But there were losses on both sides, including civilian deaths. Hence, this could be an attempt by the Pakistani army to cut losses. On the other hand, the discovery of many tunnels in J&K recently points to the fact that with the state under heavy security cover, the Pakistani side is looking at alternate ways to slip insurgents into India. India has to guard against that.
There is little chance of both nations resuming dialogue to settle differences. Pakistan has made it clear that if India does not roll back its decision to carve two Union territories out of J&K and withdraw its special status, it will not negotiate on anything. India will never agree to that. But what both countries can do, for starters, is to restore the diplomatic missions on both sides to full strength. Then, instead of government-to-government dialogue, let talks happen on department-to-department basis and on a need basis, like the military-to-military talks to reach an agreement on the 2003 ceasefire. If this is the way the two countries can agree on matters, so be it.
It seems that India and Pakistan can agree on strategic or administrative matters more than on political matters. Let that be the way forward. As long as it brings relief to citizens on both sides of the border (as the agreement on 2003 ceasefire is likely to for the residents of border areas), any agreement between the two countries is welcome.
